Do indie authors really have to write a series to build a career? In this episode of The Author’s Mic™, Kelly Morgan breaks down how to turn standalone books into a connected story universe—without boxing in your creativity.

Do You Have to Write a Series to Succeed as an Author?

Someone told me recently:

“If you write a standalone book, and then another completely different standalone book, that’s basically death to a writer. These days you have to write a series.”

I heard that and thought…
Nah. I don’t agree.

Yes, series sell.
Yes, readers love following the same characters across multiple books.
Yes, series can absolutely build momentum.

But the idea that not writing a series equals “career death”?
That’s a story I’m not subscribing to.

The Pressure to “Write a Series or Else”

There’s a lot of advice floating around that sounds like rules:

• “Your series is your brand.”
• “If you don’t write in a series, readers won’t stick with you.”
• “Standalone novels are a bad career move.”

And sure — if series are your thing, go for it.

But writing a series requires:

• Long-arc plotting over multiple books
• Building characters who can carry 3, 4, or 7+ installments
• Carefully pacing reveals and subplots over a long stretch

That’s an amazing skillset. It’s just not everyone’s lane.

Personally? I’m not even sure I have a traditional, numbered series in me — and I’m okay with that.

The Alternative: Build a Story Universe

Instead of obsessing over series, I like to think about universes.

The example that always comes to mind is Star Wars.

Yes, it has trilogies and series moments. But what makes Star Wars powerful isn’t just that it’s “Book 1, Book 2, Book 3.”

It’s that Star Wars is a universe.

You’ve got:

• The original trilogy
• The prequels
• The sequels
• Rogue One
• The Mandalorian
• Side stories and spin-offs

Different characters, different time periods, different tones — but they all live in the same world.

Some overlap directly.
Others connect in subtle ways.
But as a reader/viewer, you know when you’re inside that universe.

That, to me, is a writer’s dream:
creative freedom with connection.

How That Looks with My Own Work

I’ve talked about this in relation to my novel You Sound White.

I can absolutely see myself:

• Taking one character from that book
• Giving them their own story
• Writing another novel set in the same world

It wouldn’t be a prequel.
It wouldn’t be a direct sequel.

But it would live inside the same universe.

You know who did this beautifully?
Jackie Collins.

Back in the day, I read Jackie Collins like it was my job. Her books were full of drama, sex, money, power, and chaos — and they all lived in the same glittery, messy world.

Sometimes characters overlapped.
Sometimes a name or event popped up in a later book.
Sometimes a side character stepped into the spotlight.

It didn’t have to be a numbered series to feel connected.

The Real “Death” for a Writer

For me, the real creative death isn’t writing standalones.

It’s forcing yourself into a model that doesn’t fit your brain, your joy, or your creativity.

When you focus on building a universe instead of a rigid series, you give yourself permission to:

• Explore different themes
• Switch tones or subgenres
• Follow side characters into completely new stories
• Jump around in time
• Let readers enter your world from any door and still feel at home

Readers don’t just follow series.
They follow worlds.
They follow voices.

So no — you do not have to write a traditional series to build a career as an author.

You can:

• Write standalones
• Pivot between topics or tones
• Still create a recognizably “you” universe

How to Start Building Your Story Universe

If the idea of a universe lights you up more than “Book 1, Book 2, Book 3,” here are some simple ways to start:

• Revisit side characters
  Ask yourself: who in this book has more story left to tell?
• Anchor your world
  Use recurring settings, families, workplaces, cities, or communities that show up across multiple books.
• Let characters cameo
  Maybe your MC from Book A shows up as a minor character in Book C. Readers love that kind of Easter egg.
• Keep your themes consistent
  Even if the plots differ, your themes (identity, belonging, resilience, etc.) can remain your anchor.

You’re not building a cage. You’re building a universe.

Watch the Full Episode

Want to hear this as a full Author’s Mic™ episode?

🎥 Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/vpsqETHdYWQ 

Be a Guest, Grab the Guide, Join the Club

If you’re an indie author, storyteller, or creative and you want to plug deeper into this ecosystem:

• Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™
  👉🏾 Apply at: https://brightheadedpublishing.com
  Click “Be a Guest on Author’s Mic™” and submit your details.
• Download the free writing guide
  👉🏾 So You Wanna Write a Book – A Real-Talk Guide to Getting It Done Without Losing Your Mind
  Get your copy at: https://brightheadedpublishing.com 
• Support my books
  👉🏾 Weight For It (including audiobook)
  👉🏾 You Sound White
  Order signed copies straight from me: https://brightheadedpublishing.com 
• Join or pitch the Indie Reader Society (IRS)
  👉🏾 All the info is under the “More” tab at:
  https://brightheadedpublishing.com 

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standalone vs series, do authors need a series, story universe, worldbuilding for authors, Jackie Collins, You Sound White, indie author tips, The Author’s Mic, Bright Headed Publishing, writing career advice